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Cohesion has conditions to suit at Caulfield

Mike Hedge

A return to the scene of his only victory and the likelihood of a suitable racing surface have boosted stable confidence in the chances of Cohesion in the G3 Vain Stakes at Caulfield, Australia, on Saturday, August 13.

Cohesion (John O’Shea/ Michael Dee) showed an instant affinity for a track that can prove difficult for first-timers when he won the Listed Blue Diamond Preview at Caulfield back in January.

The son of Lonhro bounced straight to the front and gave nothing else a chance that day, showing tenacity as well as speed to score by a length-and-a-quarter.

Trainer John O’Shea gave Cohesion one more run in that initial preparation and then gave him the autumn off.

“Three runs was enough for him last time in, he did a good job, showed us what he was capable of,” O’Shea said.

“A nice long break has done him a lot of good, he’s grown nicely and looks a really good sprinting colt. It remains to be seen how far he can go, but he should get a nice run from his good gate and the going should also suit him.”

A good-to-soft surface is forecast for Caulfield, in contrast to the heavy track Cohesion raced on when resuming at Moonee Valley last month.

Among an even field of three-year-olds opposing Cohesion are the unbeaten pair Russian Revolution, a two-time winner in Sydney, and Artie Dee Two whose two wins from as many starts have been in Victoria.

In his latest win Russian Revolution was followed home by the Godolphin runner Mortons Fork at Randwick in June.

“We’re going into this race with an open mind as to where we head next, there are a few suitable races before the bigger Spring stakes races come along and at this stage that’s the sort of thing we’re looking at,” O’Shea said.